Off the court with head coach Bobbie Kelsey
June 20, 2011 | Women's Basketball
June 20, 2011
MADISON, Wis. - What is on head coach Bobbie Kelsey's bucket list? Or do you know what her favorite television show is?
UWBadgers.com asked Coach Kelsey some "off the court" questions so you as fans can get to know her better. Read all about her life on and off the basketball court below.
Full Name: Bobbie Kelsey
Nicknames: BK, Bob, "B"
How did you get your nickname? People just have fun calling me different things!
Birthdate: Dec. 30
Hometown: Decatur, Ga.
Family members: My parents are Melvin and Janice Kelsey. I have one older sister TaReon (ta REE on), 40, and two younger brothers Shirrod and David, who are both 29 but not twins!
Family members who competed in college or professional athletics (where and when): My sister competed in basketball at Emmanuel College and University of West Georgia
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, playing golf, attending music concerts, going to the bookstore
Do you do any volunteer activities? What is your favorite? Yes, working at my church outreach ministries (Habitat for Humanity, homeless, soup kitchen). Habitat was my favorite because I like to build things and it was an all-female crew working on this particular home
Why did you decide to coach at the University of Wisconsin? The University of Wisconsin is a special place and a great fit for me. The atmosphere is electric and fun. This is a place where student-athletes can get an exceptional education while participating in one of the best athletic environments in the nation. The facilities are superb, the campus is beautiful and the Madison community is so supportive in every way. As I have said from the beginning, "What's not to love about UW-Madison!"
Favorites - Movies: The Color Purple, Shawshank Redemption; TV Show: Martin; Book: The Bible; Car: My 5 series BMW or future White Range Rover Sport Turbo with cream interior; Basketball Players: Kevin Garnett/Teresa Edwards; Sports team: Any Atlanta team (Hawks, Falcons, Braves, Thrashers)
Most memorable basketball games: Shooting the ball in the wrong basket in the 8th grade! Oh and beating UConn last year to break their 90-game winning streak!
The people who have influenced me most in basketball are: My dad, my high school coach (Vivian Terry) and my college coach (Tara VanDerveer)
Dream as a coach: Win a NCAA Championship while helping my players to become exceptional women in the process!
How would you describe your coaching style? I'm a teacher first then a coach second so my style is much like how your favorite teacher would conduct a class at school - encouraging, demanding, and fun!
Before each game, I: Pray for wisdom, guidance, self-control and safety for all the players from injury
One word that describes me: Fun-loving
My friends say I am: Funny, caring, and loyal
Most memorable basketball achievement: Winning the NCAA Championship my freshman year at Stanford
The best thing about the Kohl Center is: How loud it will be next season at every game!!
The best thing about Madison is: The people!
If I wasn't a coach, I've always dreamed of being: A master carpenter (would love to build houses for a living)
Person most admired/role model: My grandmother- Elizabeth C. Fields
My most prized possession is/are: My Bible
I can't live without: My relationship with the Lord
My secret addiction is: Biting my fingernails- Argh!
Weird thing about me that almost no one knows: I was born with tiny little extra pinky fingers on each hand that never formed - only little nubs that everyone is grossed out by which is really immature.
If I could guest star in a TV show it would be? Martin (even though it is off the air now)
If I could be a cover of a magazine it would be? Essence
The best sporting event I ever attended was: Stanford vs. UConn on Dec. 30, 2010 (my birthday) when the Cardinal ended the Huskies 90-game winning streak
You won't catch me eating: Anything I cannot pronounce or that looks at me from the plate. . . gross!
Nobody knows how much I love to: Body board at the beach!
Greatest Invention of the last 100 years: The computer
If I could live any place in the world, it would be: Wherever my family resides!
If you could spend a week anywhere in the world: Hawai'i
If I could live in any time period, it would be: Now
A non-athletic talent I have is: Comedy or least everyone says I am funny
If I could meet two people from throughout history they would be: Jesus and Harriet Tubman
If I had a million dollars: Give to the poor, pay for my nephews' college education and invest the rest
If you could have any talent: Play the piano really well . . . like classically trained
Most famous person I've ever met: Former President of the United States - George H. Bush
If I could have one superpower, it would be: To be able to fly
My dream date would be: No one other than my fiancé, Kwame
What are you most thankful for? Family, health and relationship with the Lord
What are you passionate about? Taking care of my family, program and players
My favorite websites are: HGTV, USA Today
My favorite quote or motto is: Be who you want to see.
My worst habit: Biting my fingernails
My bucket list includes: Win a national championship as a head coach, visit the continent of Africa on a safari, have a family (at least two kids), adopt if possible, and to retire a millionaire
